Beretta 92fs or M9A1

I am considering the purchase of one of these. It will be used as a range gun , and for home defense. I already own Glocks and an M&P, so I'm looking for something different. I've looked at Sig but, with my current situation can't justify the cost. My budget is $600. I'm leaning towards the M9A1 because of the rail, and the added cool factor of the military markings. Your thoughts and experiences with these weapons are appreciated.

Thank you,

Evan

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docnyt

February 6, 2011, 05:11 AM

A used or certified SIG is not out of your budget.

The 92FS and M9 are essentially the same gun. The rail is useful for mounting a light/laser. The mags are supposedly better at keeping sand out.

mljdeckard

February 6, 2011, 05:30 AM

Military markings are cool?

george d dennis

February 6, 2011, 07:32 AM

just ordered a m9a1, havent received it yet. also ordered 3 extra mags from midway.

Shipwreck

February 6, 2011, 09:00 AM

just ordered a m9a1, havent received it yet. also ordered 3 extra mags from midway.

Here is a pic to look at while ya wait, then :)

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g320/mistershipwreck/M9A1-9001.jpg

RidgwayCO

February 6, 2011, 09:04 AM

I own a few Berettas, and I'm sure you'll be happy with either of your choices. The option of mounting a light/laser on the rail is nice to have. My Glock 17 Gen3 became my primary home defense gun after I purchased an Insight M6 for it.

george d dennis

February 6, 2011, 09:15 AM

nothing like rubbing it in! thankyou for the nice picture!
best wishes
george

mrdoublestak

February 6, 2011, 09:29 AM

the mil mags are coated inside and out with the black teflon surface so that they are slippery that way if sand does get in there it wont bind up

TIMC

February 6, 2011, 09:59 AM

Either one I'm sure you'll be happy. I have a couple of FBI National academy pistols. They have been flawless and accurate.

I think either is a great choice. The Beretta 92 series was on my want list for years but never quite made it to the top until last week. I bought a new 92FS. Fantastic gun. I've only put a couple hundred rounds through it so far but it's been one of my best shooting guns. Points and balances well. I also bought it mainly for range and competition. This will also be my SHTF sidearm. Check out CDNN for magazines.

I am considering the purchase of one of these. It will be used as a range gun , and for home defense. I already own Glocks and an M&P, so I'm looking for something different. I've looked at Sig but, with my current situation can't justify the cost. My budget is $600. I'm leaning towards the M9A1 because of the rail, and the added cool factor of the military markings. Your thoughts and experiences with these weapons are appreciated.

Thank you,

Evan
I would take the Beretta over the sig no matter what. As to the question of which one, I am very partial to the 92FS, however the A1 offers far superior front sight options with its dovetail.

Magnuumpwr

February 6, 2011, 09:19 PM

The main difference I see between my M9 and 92FS is the sight picture. M9 is to enable a person that has never fired a gun to gain a fool proof sight picture. Has a solid dot front and a rear sight with a portion of a circle located in the bottom center. This is totally different than the three dot system of the 92FS's that I have.

IdahoLT1

February 6, 2011, 10:42 PM

Heres my 96FS Vertec
http://i53.tinypic.com/2i11maa.jpg

my Vertec and 92F(circa 1989)
http://i55.tinypic.com/2popm5k.jpg

Armedleprechaun

February 7, 2011, 12:31 AM

Thanks for all the help guys! I also love the pictures, Keep the pics and info coming. :)

Birdmang

February 7, 2011, 12:34 AM

shipwreck, you need an inox!

john5036

February 7, 2011, 12:46 AM

I bought a used 92FS a few years ago as my first handgun. It's a great shooter, very accurate out of the box, and thanks to the US military and numerous Hollywood movies, is now considered by some, pretty much a classic pistol for modern American history.

As already mentioned, I think either choice you make will be one that you'll be happy with. The rail is a convenience, to not have a rail doesn't make the 92FS any less of a firearm, and I think it's safe to assume that when you buy one, you'll feel the urge to build that 92/M9 collection.

Shipwreck

February 7, 2011, 07:18 AM

shipwreck, you need an inox!

Nah... While I have always preferred stainless/silver colored guns as a whole - the Beretta 92 is the 1 exception. I ONLY like it in Black.

I actually owned a black one and Inox one in the 1990s. I never shot the Inox, and ended up trading it off. I've looked at them several times since, but they just don't do it for me...

george d dennis

February 8, 2011, 09:46 AM

well yesterday i went to the gs to pick up my m9a1 i had ordered. well the dealer
ordered the wrong one. it was the 92a1 he got in instead. he asked if i wanted to
send it back and i said, i will just keep it. the pistol looks nice. cant wait to get to
the range. the weathers been bad outside. does anyone have a 92a1 that they can
comment on? the good and bads?
thanks
george

Shipwreck

February 8, 2011, 01:06 PM

well yesterday i went to the gs to pick up my m9a1 i had ordered. well the dealer
ordered the wrong one. it was the 92a1 he got in instead. he asked if i wanted to
send it back and i said, i will just keep it. the pistol looks nice. cant wait to get to
the range. the weathers been bad outside. does anyone have a 92a1 that they can
comment on? the good and bads?

Yes - as shown above in my group photo, I have a 92A1 too.

Actually, it is my fav of my 6 Berettas. It edges out my 92FS just a tiny bit in terms of accuracy - so it is my most accurate gun. I also think it balances just as well as the 92FS. I find the balance of the M9A1 just to be slightly off (front heavy). And, the shallow checkering on the M9A1 doesn't work as well as the plain serreations on the back and front strap of the 92FS and 92A1.

Had I not already been using 2 of my 6 Berettas for carry, I'd probably be carrying the 92A1.

I did have to have my sights slightly adjusted by a gun smith, as the gun was shooting to the right. But, a closer look showed that the sights were not centered in the dovetail. H slightly adjusted both the front and rear sights - and now it is dead on.

I love this gun!

I would suggest getting Hogue grip panels. The rubber grips make the gun feel much better... It is slightly harder to find the normal grip panels over the complete wrap arounds with the finger grooves, though. I don't care for the finger grooves, personally.

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g320/mistershipwreck/92a1-9000.jpg

george d dennis

February 8, 2011, 01:36 PM

shipwreck

thanks so much for the information. by mistake the dealer put down 10rd
instead of the larger capacity mags. i have 3 of the new ones coming from midway.
im going to order more. its a very nice pistol well built (92a1). i have other pistols
but always wanted another beretta.i had one in the 80s. like i said, im going to
get a few new mags. im afraid of whats going to happen in the future.

george

Jeb21

February 8, 2011, 06:09 PM

Now that you have satisfied your Beretta itch, you need to get a Sig 229 or 226. They are a lot of fun as well. BTW I am carrying a Beretta 92fs (a police trade in) in a Galco IWB holster (scout) right now. It is one of my favorite carry guns and one of my favorite IDPA competition pistols.

SharpsDressedMan

February 8, 2011, 06:15 PM

For all the good things that a Beretta 92 variant is, it seems to me to be less practical and comfortable IN THE WAISTBAND than many other, slimmer 9mm handguns (Browning HP, S&W 39 series, etc). I like the Berettas in OWB holsters. Anyone else uncomfortable with a Beretta stuck inside the pants?

Shipwreck

February 8, 2011, 06:48 PM

No, actually, I prefer carrying my 92FS over my P2000 HK. The longer holster works better IW. The short polymer holster for the P2000 would sometimes stick me in my muscle when I would sit down.I personally like the feeling of the 92, and I forget I have it on sometimes. I'm 180 and 6'1" too, so I am not a huge guy

chicharrones

February 8, 2011, 11:25 PM

Anyone else uncomfortable with a Beretta stuck inside the pants?

Sticking my 92FS in my waistband is like sticking my Ruger GP-100 in my waistband. It's doable only around the house for checking the property. Otherwise, no. http://bestsmileys.com/freak/2.gif

chicharrones

February 8, 2011, 11:26 PM

BTW, wood grips are nice, too. :cool:

http://www.lssdigital.com/lwpilot/walnut92.jpg

Shipwreck

February 8, 2011, 11:38 PM

It's doable only around the house for checking the property. Otherwise, no.

With the right holster, its fine. I carry this everyday:

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g320/mistershipwreck/Carrygear2.jpg

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